Idzik on Geno Smith as 2014 starter: We don’t look too far into the future

Posted by Josh Alper on January 1, 2014, 9:33 AM EDT

AP

Geno Smith closed his rookie season with a pair of good performances in wins over the Browns and Dolphins, but the Jets aren’t heading into the offseason with the quarterback question answered once and for all.

At their season-ending press conference on Tuesday, coach Rex Ryan and General Manager John Idzik were complimentary of Smith’s work during the 2013 season but Idzik stressed that the team “will always look to improve every position in any manner we can.” As such, Idzik said that the team is going to be looking at quarterbacks this offseason and that Smith’s not being considered the starter for next season at the moment.

“We don’t look too far into the future with that,” Idzik said. “Again, Geno started 16 games for us. You all witnessed how he did, how he finished strong. We’re very, very excited and happy that Geno is with us.”

The Jets would be doing themselves a disservice if they didn’t look for competition for Smith this offseason. His play at the end of the season was encouraging, but that’s all it was after a year that also see him play some truly execrable football. Even if Smith’s better suited to start when next season opens, the Jets would likely have a more viable option that Matt Simms in the event that Smith should struggle enough again next year that he needs to be replaced.

Idzik is smart to want a good QB as an alternative should Smith falter. Miami would have been wise to use their backup as the offense faltered in the playoff run scoring one TD in the last two important games.

While I respect what Idzik did in Seattle and understand the idea that worked there, was that every position was open to competition, I think he should get behind Geno to help build his confidence. To lead that garbage to 8-8, is bordering on miraculous. The Jets have maybe one player on offense that could make another squad.

That’s where my respect for Idzik stops. Had Luck or Tannehill pulled this off, they would have been anointed, future HOF, but Geno gets no respect. Meanwhile, Eli gets less scrutiny with 27 INTs. Give the Jets Cruz and the Jets are 9-7 or even 10-6 and in the playoffs. Just one WR or TE or play maker is what they needed.

While Idzik and the Jets (apologies to Elton John) understandably need to look out for the best interests of their franchise at every position, they should probably resist any urge to give Geno Smith the ‘bum’s rush’, or look to replace him any time soon. He was a rookie, after all, coming into a situation lacking a ton of offensive talent around him, and finished very strong. Had he played his worst football late in the season, that might be a different story, but he was pretty much at his best by the end of the year…an encouraging sign that things are starting to fall into place for him.

I have finally figured out why the Jets are so inconsistent, they don’t look far into the future.

fordmandalay says:Jan 1, 2014 10:20 AM

And that’s the very definition of a rousing vote of confidence! The Jest circus train keeps rolling right along.

jimjets says:Jan 1, 2014 10:21 AM

As a diehard fan I was proud of the job this kid did. It was simple to me – in games he made a few plays with his legs and didn’t turn it over we won. Yes bring in competition but also provide him with an opportunity with improved skill players and an entire offseason with wiggy as his oc. I don’t think he’ll ever be manning or Brady but I don’t think he has too as the jets actually play defense too

sikoix says:Jan 1, 2014 10:31 AM

Jets fans must love hearing the GM proclaim he doesn’t look too far into the future.

The kid is still young but c’mon, he’s overrated. He’s on the same level as lets say, Thad Lewis. He’s no more than a backup in this league, he’s not that good to lead your team. The only reason and I don’t understand why because they only have one win and not many playoff appearances/wins; he gets so much hype is because he plays for New York. He isn’t the answer, neither is Rex no matter how many help they get on offense.

Jags fan here – this is why the Jets organization is considered a circus by many. Rookie QB plays like a rookie with ups and downs, throws less INT’s than 2 time winner Eli Manning, and less than #1 overall pick Peyton’s rookie year (look it up), yet he is considered a turnover machine. Geno had 5 TD’s rushing because the Jets have nobody to throw to.

This is what I call the 1st round pick syndrome – people think 1st rounders have all the talent and when they make mistakes it is considered “rookie mistakes” but lower round QB’s never get a shot to make even a few mistakes. If Gabbert had a rookie year that was even close to Geno’s people would have talked about all the positives and none of the negatives. Blaine had the best runner in the NFL his rookie year and a top 10 defense and did not get any of the questions that Geno is getting. If I were Geno I would be in the GM’s office today asking for clarification about this statement, and if I didn’t get a satisfactory answer about giving me the weapons I needed I would ask for a trade.

Geno is not Russel Wilson but he showed enough this year to be clearly the starter and have the team backing him. The owner should be pissed off at a statement like this because he put these guys in charge and Geno was a 2nd round pick. I would be more concerned than a defensive minded HC could not develop the 1st round pick better than he did. (Dee Milliner)

Was it me or did Geno have close to the seasons worst performance about 6 weeks ago? So glad he’s not on my team. If that was my hope, I’d be finding a plan b team, because about 28 other teams have brighter futures than the Jets.

I think Geno can be good.
#1 He’s a rookie.
#2 He had virtually nobody to throw to.
#3 He has the physical ability to be a good QB.

Give him a few decent receivers and a tight end then judge him. He has excellent arm strength, throws a nice looking ball PLUS he can move and isn’t a sitting duck back there like the other guy who starts at QB in MetLife Stadium.

The title says it all. Again, Idzik is the #1 problem with the team. When they figure out that I’m right about that and get a good GM, then they will have good long-term plans in place. Because a good Gm thinks ahead and has lots of theoretical ideas and contingency concepts, otherwise you can’t make the optimal moves today if you don’t spend a great deal of time thinking about the future down the road.

This is what I call the 1st round pick syndrome – people think 1st rounders have all the talent and when they make mistakes it is considered “rookie mistakes” but lower round QB’s never get a shot to make even a few mistakes.

1st round draft picks (like Gabbert) get to make massive mistakes but people still believe in them.

Lower round picks (like Geno) better look awesome right away.

1st round pick syndrome. Guys like Russell, Leaf, Gabbert, Sanchez, etc etc keep getting starts even with all the mistakes. Go look at a guy like Colt Mckoy and compare his stats w guys picked in the 1st round and tell me why he was pulled before Blaine.

He was a second round pick. He did great as a rookie. What do people expect, the same first year as luck, Wilson and RG me when he had minimal help? Here is Miami they love Tanenhill. What he has done with them spending a ton of money surrounding him?

annes22 says:Jan 1, 2014 4:50 PM

Tannehill had no offensive line, how the hell was he suppose to throw the ball?? He has no time at all, it was awful. Geno Smith is a rookie, he had 2 wins to finish, but playing the dolphins last Sunday was a joke. They didn’t even try in that game, that was obvious. No enthusiasm, nothing of anything it was awful, and made Geno look like Dan Marino. You can spend all the money in the world on WR’s but if the line doesn’t protect what do you do??? Sacked 46 times, it’s a miracle the guy could even stand up at the end.

With a position of little importance as quarterback, I fully understand not wasting time on thinking about next season and what is going to happen at that spot. You don’t see playoff teams like the Seahawks, Broncos, 49ers, Packers, and Panthers looking that far in the future on who will be their QB, do you?

harrisonhits2 says:Jan 1, 2014 5:28 PM

jagsdynasty says:

Meanwhile the Jaguars are preparing for a decade of multiple Super Bowl wins…
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Lolercoaster in what alternative universe ?

‘Cause in this one they’re lucky any year they win more than 4-5 games, much less even get to the playoffs.

olhockeypop says:
Jan 1, 2014 1:49 PM
Geno is not the best in N.Y . He is in new Jersey as is E. Manning . Only one NFL Team in New York State and that is the Bills . Heck also New Jersy is hosting the Super Bowl not N.Y .
________________________________

If you had the slightest clue to the politics of building a stadium in NY, you wouldn’t have even lifted your crayon.
There are apartments in New York City that cost more than the land your team’s stadium sits on.

I agree with your post about land value’s . But the fact of the matter is thier stadiums are in New Jersy not New York . Just stating an undisputible fact . The Bills stadium actully is in Orchard Park not Buffalo . But at least it is in New York State .No reason to get snippy with facts my friend.

olhockeypop says:
Jan 2, 2014 6:27 PM
I agree with your post about land value’s . But the fact of the matter is thier stadiums are in New Jersy not New York . Just stating an undisputible fact . The Bills stadium actully is in Orchard Park not Buffalo . But at least it is in New York State .No reason to get snippy with facts my friend.
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Facts? How many teams in the NFL and NBA actually play in the city of their namesake?
Yes, the Giants and Jets are in New Jersey.
About 6 miles from NYC.
I’ll wager many teams play more than 6 miles from the city that’s on their jerseys.
I do get snippy with those who show such hatred for NYC teams because of the city, not the teams.
I apologize for NY being the center of the universe.